Civil Partnership Bill 'does not go far enough'

Gay rights groups have today called for a number of reforms to the Civil Partnership Bill which is set to be debated by the Dáil this evening as part of its progress into law.

The Bill, published in June, grants same-sex couples who register their civil partnership a range of entitlements and protections in the areas of taxation, social welfare, succession and protection of the couple’s shared home.

However some advocacy groups have highlighted areas in which they think the Bill does not go far enough, with many today calling for the Government to afford same-sex couples the same legal recognition as married couples.

While hailing the Bill as a “major civil rights reform” and a “great achievement for Irish society”, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) said a “critical omission” in the Bill is the lack of legal support and recognition of the children being parented by same-sex couples.

“GLEN strongly urges the Government to address this critical gap as the Bill is advanced through the Oireachtas,” said GLEN chair Kieran Rose.

Meanwhile, rights group MarriagEquality has written to the Taoiseach ahead of the debate asking that the legislation by bolstered to give full equal marriage rights to gay people.

The group said the Bill in its current form sends a clear message that gay people are not considered as equals in society.

Director Moninne Griffith said: “Civil partnership is a limited legal recognition of same-sex relationships. It does not grant family status to a couple, and leaves children with same-sex parents in an appalling position.

"We are saying the bill is not enough and the Government must acknowledge this and provide for civil marriage rights for lesbian and gay families now.’’

The call was backed by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation (NLGF), which urged the immediate introduction of a civil marriage option which would give full rights to gay people.

To ensure that LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) people are treated equally in Ireland, the Government must move to provide equality by legislating for civil marriage,” said NLGF chair Ailbhe Smyth.

“The Government must admit that provision of civil partnership as the only relationship recognition option for LGBT people is a serious mistake.”

The Union of Students in Ireland also said the Bill falls short of offering many of the rights and protections covered by civil marriage.

A demonstration will take place outside the Dáil later this evening to highlight the limitations of the Bill.